JP4545177B2 - Toll collection system and information transmission method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toll collection system and its information transmission method, and in particular, when using a toll road, a toll parking lot, etc., information is communicated between an onboard device mounted on the vehicle and a toll gate, and toll collection is performed. The present invention relates to a toll collection system that enables non-stop passage of a vehicle and an information transmission method thereof.

  Conventionally, on expressways, etc., it is necessary to temporarily stop the vehicle at the pass ticket office or toll booth in order to pass the pass ticket for toll collection and to pay the usage fee based on the information held by the pass ticket. This temporary stop and delivery of toll tickets and charges are a major cause of traffic jams at the toll ticket office and the front of the toll gate.

  Therefore, in order to improve such problems in recent years, a non-stop automatic fee collection system that can collect a fee without temporarily stopping has been proposed and put into practical use.

  In this system, a communication device that communicates information for automatic toll collection is arranged at the pass ticket office, toll booth and vehicle, and when the vehicle passes the pass ticket office or toll gate, communication is performed. By doing so, the fee collection processing is performed by exchanging necessary information. Specifically, the communication device at the pass ticket office located at the entrance gate of the toll road confirms the ID of the vehicle that is about to pass, so that the vehicle can make a contract for automatic toll collection. And whether the automatic toll collection is currently available or not is based on the information sent from the in-vehicle communication device (on-vehicle device), and the toll road gate location information and Information such as passage date and time is transmitted to the in-vehicle device. On the other hand, in the toll gate communication device at the toll road exit gate, whether or not the vehicle is going to pass through a contract for automatic toll collection by ID confirmation etc. Confirmation of whether or not the receipt can be used is based on information sent from the in-vehicle communication device (on-vehicle device), and information on the entrance gate location given to the on-vehicle device at the toll road entrance and the date and time of passage Based on such information, the usage fee is deducted. For example, a charge debiting process from a predetermined account, a subtraction process from the prepaid balance of the in-vehicle device, and the like are performed. Such a process can be completed with a communication of several tens of ms at the entrance and exit of the toll road, so that the vehicle can pass through the entrance gate and the exit gate without temporarily stopping. As a result, it can greatly contribute to alleviation of traffic congestion at the pass ticket office and toll gate.

  A specific example for realizing such a non-stop automatic fee collection system is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. In this system, for example, first and second vehicle detection sensors are arranged at predetermined intervals along the traveling direction of a vehicle in a communication area of a transmission / reception antenna arranged at a toll gate (passage ticket delivery office). When the first vehicle detection sensor detects a vehicle that has traveled toward the toll gate, information transfer between the toll gate and the vehicle is started, and then a second vehicle detection sensor disposed forward in the traveling direction is When the vehicle is detected based on the movement of the vehicle, the exchange of information is stopped. As a result, information can be transmitted and received between the toll gate and the vehicle while passing through the first and second vehicle detection sensors, and a fee collection process can be performed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-326057

  In the above-described system, first and second vehicle detection sensors are required to obtain the timing for starting transmission and reception of information between the toll gate (passage ticket delivery office) and the timing for stopping transmission and reception. become. However, since the installation location of the vehicle detection sensor is on the road side of the traffic road to the toll gate or the like, a plurality of vehicle detection sensors are arranged in front of the toll gate. In particular, in the case of a toll gate having a plurality of traffic paths, a large number of vehicle detection sensors are required, resulting in an increase in system cost. Also, if there are a plurality of vehicle detection sensors in front of the toll gate, the probability of interference with a passing vehicle increases, and there are problems such as complicated maintenance, which is not preferable. Furthermore, depending on the installation location of the toll gate, it may not be possible to install a plurality of vehicle detection sensors along the traffic path.

  In addition, since the above system uses the first and second vehicle detection sensors, the front end of the vehicle turns on the second vehicle detection sensor before the communication is completed, for example, when the bonnet portion of the vehicle is long. Even if it is a vehicle that can stop good communication, prevent good communication, and collect automatic tolls, it may cause a malfunction that demands temporary stop and normally requests delivery of tolls and charges There was sex.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a fee collection system and information transmission method thereof that can satisfactorily communicate for toll collection with a simple and low cost realizable configuration. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication system according to the present invention collects charges by communicating with an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle entering a communication area formed in front of a toll gate, and exchanging information. A toll collection system for performing information exchange based on a single vehicle detection sensor having a vehicle detection area near the vehicle entry side in the communication area, a detection state of the vehicle detection sensor, and a timer count A communication device including communication control means for starting and stopping communication, and the communication control means is mounted on the vehicle when a front end portion of the vehicle traveling toward the toll gate is detected by the vehicle detection sensor. Communication with the aircraft is started and the timer count is started, and when the vehicle detection sensor enters a non-detection state, the timer count If it is within a predetermined time, the communication is stopped when the timer count has passed a predetermined time, and the vehicle detection is detected if the time when the vehicle detection sensor is in a non-detection state is after the timer count has elapsed. When the sensor is in a non-detection state, the communication is stopped, and if there is no information from the in-vehicle device in the communication, the vehicle is stopped by an open / close gate near the toll gate and toll collection is performed.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the above configuration, one vehicle detection sensor is provided for each of a plurality of traffic paths passing through a toll gate.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides communication that exchanges information by communicating with an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle that enters a communication area formed in front of a toll booth and processes the received information. A communication system for exchanging information based on a single vehicle detection sensor having a vehicle detection area closer to the vehicle entry side in the communication area, and a detection state of the vehicle detection sensor and a timer count And a communication device for stopping the vehicle, and the communication device is for collecting tolls with the vehicle-mounted device when the vehicle detection sensor detects the front end of the vehicle traveling toward the toll gate. When the timer count starts when the communication is started and the vehicle detection sensor is in a non-detection state, the timer count is a predetermined time if the timer count is within a predetermined time of the timer count. When the time elapses, the communication is stopped, and if the vehicle detection sensor is in a non-detection state after the predetermined time of the timer count has elapsed, the communication is stopped when the vehicle detection sensor is in a non-detection state. Shall be allowed to.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention communicates information by exchanging information between an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle entering a communication area formed in front of a toll gate and a communication device arranged on the roadside. An information transmission method of a toll collection system that collects tolls by performing the above-mentioned when a vehicle front end is detected by a single vehicle detection sensor having a vehicle detection area closer to the vehicle entry side in the communication area. The communication device starts communication for toll collection with the in-vehicle device, and the shape of the vehicle is discontinuous when the vehicle detection sensor changes to a non-detection state within a predetermined time from the detection of the vehicle. The communication device does not stop the communication, and the communication device stops the communication when the communication device changes to a non-detection state after a predetermined time has elapsed since the vehicle was detected.

  According to the present invention, even when the start and stop of communication with an in-vehicle device of a vehicle are controlled by a single vehicle detector sensor, information on the in-vehicle device is based on the change state of the detection state of the vehicle detector sensor. Since the transmission / reception stop timing is selected, it is possible to reliably secure a communication time for performing good communication without being affected by the shape of the vehicle to be communicated and the passing speed. That is, it is possible to construct a fee collection system with a simple configuration and at a low cost, and it is possible to perform a good automatic fee collection process similar to the conventional one.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the communication control unit changes from the detection state to the non-detection state within a predetermined time after the vehicle detection, the communication is continued while ignoring the state change. Even a vehicle with an overall discontinuous shape, such as a towing vehicle with a gap between it and the vehicle, can be controlled to start and stop communication with a single vehicle detection sensor, ensuring a reliable communication time, communication failure and communication Mistakes can be eliminated.

  Further, according to the present invention, the communication control means delays the stop of the exchange of information with the vehicle-mounted device even after the vehicle detection sensor changes from the vehicle detection state to the non-detection state. Even for a short vehicle or a vehicle passing at a predetermined speed or more, it is possible to secure a communication time during which good communication can be performed in advance. As a result, a reliable communication time with the vehicle-mounted device can be ensured without being affected by the length of the vehicle and the passing speed, and a communication failure can be eliminated.

  Further, according to the present invention, even when the present system is applied to each traffic path, since only a single vehicle detection sensor is required for each traffic path, the entire system is simplified and the installation cost is reduced. This can contribute to prevention of interference with the vehicle to be used, simplification of maintenance, and the like.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the fee collection system and information transmission method thereof according to the present invention may be any device that exchanges information with a vehicle having a predetermined in-vehicle device and collects a usage fee, such as a highway. Although applicable to a toll road, a toll parking lot, etc., the following description demonstrates the example which applied this invention to the toll road. That is, a system that allows non-stop passage through the entrance and exit gates of toll roads will be described. In the following description, a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle device having an automatic fee collection function is referred to as an “ETC vehicle”.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a toll gate 1 is provided at an exit of a toll road, and on a highway or the like, a passage separation zone that separates from an adjacent passage 2 3 is arranged. Although the toll booth 1 is provided with various facilities, all unnecessary items are omitted here except for the gist of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the vehicle 4 passing through the exit travels along the traffic path 2 in the direction of the arrow and approaches the toll gate 1.

  In the present embodiment, a gate-shaped support body 5 is formed on the front side of the toll gate 1, that is, the inside of the expressway so as to straddle each traffic path 2, and a beam 6 is provided above the support body 5. As shown in the figure, an antenna 8 that forms a substantially elliptical communication area 7 is attached downwardly so as to irradiate a predetermined traffic path 2. The antenna 8 is connected to a communication device 9 disposed inside the toll gate 1 or the like, for example, by wire or wirelessly, and processing of information exchanged through the antenna 8 is performed by the communication device 9.

  A vehicle detection sensor 10 that detects the vehicle 4 that is about to pass through the exit is disposed on the passage separation zone 3 along the communication area 7, and the detection signal is provided to the communication device 9. It is like that. Specifically, a single vehicle detection sensor 10 having a vehicle detection area is disposed in the communication area 7 near the vehicle 4 on the approach side. In FIG. 1, for example, a reflective infrared sensor is disposed as the vehicle detection sensor 10 on the left side of the vehicle 4, but may be disposed on the right side of the vehicle 4. In other words, if the vehicle detection sensor 10 forms a vehicle detection area at a predetermined position in the communication area 7 (a position offset by a predetermined distance from the entry side end), the installation position of the vehicle detection sensor 10 itself is arbitrary. The upper position of the traffic path 2 may be sufficient. Moreover, if it is a sensor which detects presence of the vehicle 4, the kind will be arbitrary and you may use an ultrasonic sensor etc.

  In the present embodiment, when the front end portion of the vehicle 4 is detected by the vehicle detection sensor 10 (for example, detected by reflection of infrared rays by the vehicle 4), the communication device 9 performs communication for toll collection via the antenna 8. The communication is stopped when the vehicle detection sensor 10 detects the passage of the vehicle 4 (signal off due to exit from the vehicle detection area of the vehicle 4). That is, while the vehicle 4 passes through the vehicle detection area of the vehicle detection sensor 10, the vehicle mounted on the communication device 9 of the toll booth 1 and the vehicle 4 which is an ETC vehicle in the area indicated by the white portion 11 in the communication area 7. Information is exchanged with the machine. In addition, if the communication area is unnecessarily large, individual vehicles cannot be identified. Conversely, if the communication area is too small, the time required for exchanging information cannot be secured, and the setting thereof is complicated. As described above, if the communication start timing and stop timing are determined by turning on / off the single vehicle detection sensor 10, an appropriate communication time can be easily ensured.

  Therefore, if the vehicle 4 that is going to pass through the exit is an ETC vehicle, information is exchanged for collecting tolls in a non-stop state between the communication device 9 of the toll gate 1 and the ETC vehicle via the antenna 8. Is done. On the other hand, if the vehicle 4 that is going to pass through the exit is a non-ETC vehicle, the communication device 9 starts communication by the operation of the vehicle detection sensor 10, but there is no signal, and normal toll collection, that is, near the toll gate. The vehicle 4 is temporarily stopped by the open / close gate, and payment of a fee is requested.

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle detection area of the vehicle detection sensor 10 is arranged inside the communication area 7. In FIG. 1, information can be exchanged before and after the white portion 11 in the communication area 7, that is, in the hatched areas 12a and 12b. It cannot be excluded, and the uncertainty of communication cannot be denied. Therefore, consideration is given to ensuring that information can be exchanged near the center of the communication area 7 where information can be exchanged most accurately in the communication area 7.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic overall configuration diagram centered on the communication device 9 of the toll collection system. The communication device 9 arranged in the toll gate 1 is turned on by the detection signal 13 output when the vehicle detection sensor 10 detects the front end of the vehicle 4 entering the exit, and the detection signal 13 disappears, that is, the vehicle. A Schmitt trigger gate 14 that is turned off when the rear end of the vehicle 4 passes, a communication control unit 16 that controls communication with the vehicle-mounted device 15 that is mounted on the vehicle 4 and has the antenna 15a, and a fee collection processing unit that actually performs fee collection processing 17 etc. are included. Further, the communication control unit 16 of the communication device 9 transmits and receives information 18 transmitted from the toll collection processing unit 17 to the in-vehicle device 15 and information 19 transmitted from the in-vehicle device 15 via the communication control unit 16. A transmitting / receiving unit 20 in which the antenna 8 is integrated is connected. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the Schmitt trigger gate 14 is used. However, any gate that can determine on / off based on a certain threshold value may be used, and a normal gate, a comparator, or the like may be used.

  The operation will be described below.

  When the front end of the vehicle 4 reaches the vehicle detection area of the vehicle detection sensor 10 and the vehicle detection sensor 10 changes from OFF to ON, the output of the Schmitt trigger gate 14 changes from “0” to “1”. When the rear end of the vehicle 4 passes the vehicle detection area of the vehicle detection sensor 10 and the vehicle detection sensor 10 changes from on to off, the output of the Schmitt trigger gate 14 changes from “1” to “0”. . Therefore, if the communication device 9 starts communication at the output “1” of the Schmitt trigger gate 14 and stops communication at “0”, the vehicle 4 (ETC) at the tip (entrance side) of the white portion 11 in FIG. The vehicle is started to exchange information, and the information exchange is stopped at the position where the rear end (exit side) of the white portion 11, that is, the rear end of the vehicle 4 is detected by the vehicle detection sensor 10. That is, information can be exchanged between the toll gate 1 and the vehicle 4 until the vehicle 4 leaves the vehicle detection area.

  In a normal passenger car or the like, the silhouette of the vehicle 4 is a continuous one having a predetermined height and width, so that the vehicle detection sensor 10 reaches the rear end after detecting the front end of the vehicle 4. Until, it is possible to always output on. Therefore, the communication device 9 can perform communication for the time during which the vehicle 4 is passing. Usually, the time required for the fee collection processing is about 70 to 80 ms, and if the stable recognition from the front end portion to the rear end portion of the vehicle 4 can be performed, sufficient processing can be performed.

  Thus, by performing the communication start and stop control by the single vehicle detection sensor 10, it is possible to construct a toll collection system with a simple configuration and at a low cost, and with the same certainty as before. It is possible to secure communication time, and good automatic toll collection processing can be performed. Further, even when the vehicle bonnet portion is long, it is possible to easily secure the communication time according to the length of the entire vehicle.

  Incidentally, ETC vehicles include not only ordinary vehicles such as those described above, but also vehicles in which the front and rear portions are connected by a thin coupling device, such as trucks and towing vehicles. In such a case, the vehicle detection sensor 10 that is turned on by detecting the front end of the vehicle is temporarily turned off by a gap formed between the front portion and the rear portion (connecting device portion), and further, It may turn on by detection. That is, there is a case where the passage of the vehicle is erroneously recognized depending on the shape of the vehicle. FIG. 3A shows a detection signal 13 of the vehicle detection sensor 10 in such a case (FIG. 3A shows a case where there are two gaps in the silhouette of the same vehicle. ). In such a case, when the front end of the vehicle reaches the vehicle detection sensor 10 and the vehicle detection sensor 10 changes from OFF to ON, the output of the Schmitt trigger gate 14 changes from “0” to “1”. Thereafter, the vehicle detection sensor 10 detects the front rear end portion of the same vehicle, the output of the vehicle detection sensor 10 immediately changes from on to off, and immediately thereafter, again by the detection of the rear end portion. It changes from off to on. That is, when the vehicle detection sensor 10 changes from on to off, the output of the Schmitt trigger gate 14 changes from “1” to “0”. In this case, the communication control unit 16 stops communication, and communication may be stopped before the information exchange between the toll gate and the ETC vehicle is completed in the white portion 11 in FIG. In some cases, the amount of one vehicle is misrecognized as two, and the same vehicle is redundantly communicated with each other, resulting in a charge collecting process.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the communication control unit 16 can select the communication start and stop timing based on the detection state of the vehicle detection sensor 10. For example, when the vehicle is detected and changed from the detection state to the non-detection state within a predetermined time, processing is performed to ignore the state change and continue communication. For example, a timer process is performed on the output of the Schmitt trigger gate 14 so that the signal of the Schmitt trigger gate 14 within a predetermined time is not detected. That is, the temporary OFF of the detection signal 13 of the vehicle detection sensor 10 is not recognized. FIG. 3B shows a state in which communication is continued without recognizing that the detection signal 13 of the vehicle detection sensor 10 is temporarily turned off.

  FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for explaining a specific example of the process shown in FIG. First, as described above, it is determined whether the approaching vehicle 4 reaches the vehicle detection area and the vehicle detection sensor 10 is turned on (S100). When ON, the output of the Schmitt trigger gate 14 changes from “0” to “1” (S 101), and the communication device 9 starts to exchange information with the vehicle 4 via the transmission / reception unit 20. (S102). The communication device 9 continues to monitor whether or not the output of the vehicle detection sensor 10 is turned off (S103). When the communication device 9 is turned off, the communication device 9 performs, for example, internal processing in order to perform timer processing on the output of the Schmitt trigger gate 14. The timer starts counting (S104). Thereafter, when the communication device 9 confirms that a predetermined time has elapsed based on the count of the timer (S105), the output of the Schmitt trigger gate 14 is changed from “1” to “0” (S106), and the communication device 9 The transmission / reception unit 20 is instructed to stop communication (S107), and prepares for a communication process by detecting the next vehicle.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the predetermined time is, for example, 100 ms. This 100 ms is preferably determined in consideration of the vehicle speed, the required time, etc., such as the time (the time required for communication) for the vehicle 4 traveling at 80 km / h to pass through the 3 m communication area (outlined portion 11). . By performing such processing, while the vehicle 4 is detected by the vehicle detection sensor 10, it is possible to ensure the communication time, and the vehicle detection sensor 10 is temporarily suspended by the passage of the aforementioned towing vehicle or the like. Even if it is turned off automatically, it is possible to ensure the time required for communication. Note that when determining the predetermined time, it is necessary to end communication before the next vehicle enters the communication area 7. For example, 100 ms is an example of satisfying such a condition. It is also effective in eliminating communication.

  By performing such processing, the communication device 9 can reliably communicate with the vehicle-mounted device 15 without being affected by the shape of the vehicle that is about to pass through the exit even if the single vehicle detection sensor 10 is used. Can be secured, and poor communication can be eliminated. Similarly, communication mistakes such as duplicate communication with the same vehicle can be prevented.

  The above-described control may be applied to a vehicle that does not have a gap such as a normal vehicle. However, a separate means for detecting the vehicle type is provided and only for a specific vehicle such as a towing vehicle. A timer may be applied.

  In addition, when the start and stop of communication are controlled using a single vehicle detection sensor 10, the length of the passing vehicle and the passing speed affect the communication time. As shown in FIG. 5A, for example, in a short vehicle such as a light vehicle, the time for passing the vehicle detection area of the vehicle detection sensor 10 is short, and the time for which the detection signal 13 is on is short. Become. Even if the vehicle has a vehicle length that is greater than or equal to a predetermined length, the faster the passing speed, the shorter the time for passing through the vehicle detection area. That is, there may be a case where good information cannot be communicated.

  In the toll collection system of the present embodiment, in order to cope with such a case, even after the vehicle detection sensor 10 changes from the detection state of the vehicle to the non-detection state, the stop of information exchange with the in-vehicle device is predetermined. You may make it perform the process as shown in FIG.5 (b) which carries out time delay. For example, when the vehicle detection sensor 10 changes from OFF to ON and the output of the Schmitt trigger gate 14 changes from “0” to “1”, the timer is started, and the timer starts for a predetermined time (predetermined required communication time). Even if the vehicle detection sensor 10 is turned off until the time has elapsed, the stop of the exchange of information with the in-vehicle device 15 may be delayed.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for explaining a specific example of the process shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the approaching vehicle 4 has reached the vehicle detection area and the vehicle detection sensor 10 has been turned on (S110). When ON, the output of the Schmitt trigger gate 14 changes from “0” to “1” (S111), and the communication device 9 starts to exchange information with the vehicle 4 via the transmission / reception unit 20 via communication. (S112). At the same time, the internal timer starts counting (S113). During this time, the communication device 9 continues to monitor whether or not the output of the vehicle detection sensor 10 is turned off (S114). When the communication device 9 is turned off, the communication device 9 checks whether or not a predetermined time has passed based on the count of the timer. Confirmation is performed (S115). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to (S114) and the communication is continued. When the predetermined time is confirmed, that is, when the output of the vehicle detection sensor 10 is turned off and the time is up, the output of the Schmitt trigger gate 14 is changed from “1” to “0” (S116). ), The communication device 9 instructs the transmission / reception unit 20 to stop communication (S117), and prepares for communication processing by detecting the next vehicle.

  By performing such processing, even when the on-state of the vehicle detection sensor 10 is shorter than the predetermined time, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the communication stop is delayed and good predetermined communication is performed. Communication time can be secured. As a result, a reliable communication time with the vehicle-mounted device can be secured without being affected by the length of the vehicle and the passing speed, and a communication failure can be eliminated.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the predetermined time may be determined in consideration of, for example, the time required for communication, the passing time of a vehicle with a short vehicle length, a vehicle with a low speed, etc. Since the timer is started simultaneously with the detection of the vehicle 4, the predetermined time needs to be set slightly longer than the predetermined time shown in FIG. Of course, it is also necessary to consider terminating communication before the next vehicle enters the communication area 7. In FIG. 4, it is mainly effective when the shape of the vehicle is discontinuous, such as a towing vehicle. Of course, in the point that a desired communication time is secured by using a timer. Can secure good communication even for a vehicle with a short vehicle length or a vehicle with a high vehicle speed. In these respects, the processing shown in FIG. 4 is more useful because it is easier to set a predetermined time applicable to various vehicles and reliable communication can be performed.

  By the way, regardless of whether the vehicle detection sensor 10 is off or not, when the vehicle detection sensor 10 detects the vehicle 4 and controls to stop communication after a predetermined time has elapsed, the vehicle detection sensor 10 detects the hood of the vehicle 4 or the like. Then, even when the installation position of the vehicle-mounted device is not within the communication area 7, the timer starts counting, and when the vehicle speed is low, there is a possibility that it is not possible to secure time for actual communication. However, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the necessary communication time can be reliably ensured by performing the processing in consideration of turning off of the vehicle detection sensor 10.

  In some cases, such as when the length of the vehicle is long, the vehicle detection sensor 10 may be turned on even after good communication is completed (stopped) between the communication device 9 and the vehicle-mounted device 15. In this case, the communication may be stopped based on the completion of communication (success).

  In the above-described embodiment, only one traffic path 2 has been described. However, in the case where a plurality of traffic paths 2 are provided, it goes without saying that the vehicle detection sensor 10 is provided in each traffic path 2. There is only one vehicle detection sensor 10 on the traffic path 2, which can contribute to simplification of the entire system, reduction of installation cost, prevention of interference with a passing vehicle, simplification of maintenance, and the like.

  The configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an example, and the configuration is appropriately changed as long as the configuration controls the start and stop of communication between the communication device and the vehicle-mounted device based on the detection result by the single vehicle detection sensor. It is possible and the same effect can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the toll collection system of the present invention is applied to an exit of a toll road such as a highway is provided. It goes without saying that it is necessary to use the system with a pair after exchanging information on whether automatic toll collection is permitted or not, and entering information (entry location and time). A similar toll collection system can be used when it is desired to collect tolls without temporarily stopping the vehicle. For example, an entrance / exit of a pay parking lot, a predetermined facility or a predetermined area that can be directly entered by a vehicle Can also be installed, and the same effect can be obtained.

It is a schematic block diagram for demonstrating embodiment which concerns on this invention. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram centered on a communication device of a toll collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the communication start and stop timing of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the communication start and stop timing shown in FIG. It is another explanatory drawing for demonstrating the communication start and stop timing of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the communication start and stop timing shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toll booth, 2 way, 3 passage separation zone, 4 vehicle, 5 support body, 6 beam, 7 communication area, 8 antenna, 9 communication apparatus, 10 vehicle detection sensor, 13 detection signal, 14 Schmitt trigger gate, 15 vehicle mounting Machine, 16 communication control unit (communication control means), 17 fee collection processing unit, 20 transmission / reception unit.

Claims (4)

A toll collection system that collects tolls by communicating with in-vehicle devices installed in vehicles that enter a communication area formed in front of the toll gate, and exchanging information,
A single vehicle detection sensor having a vehicle detection area closer to the vehicle entry side in the communication area;
A communication device including communication control means for starting and stopping communication for information exchange based on a detection state and a timer count of the vehicle detection sensor;
Including
The communication control means starts communication for toll collection with the in-vehicle device and starts the timer count when a front end portion of the vehicle traveling toward the toll gate is detected by the vehicle detection sensor. And
If the time point when the vehicle detection sensor is in a non-detection state is within the predetermined time of the timer count, the communication is stopped when the predetermined time has elapsed,
If the time point when the vehicle detection sensor is in a non-detection state is after a predetermined time of the timer count has elapsed, communication is stopped when the vehicle detection sensor is in a non-detection state,
In the communication, if there is no information from the in-vehicle device, the toll collection system is characterized in that the toll collection is performed by stopping the vehicle by an open / close gate near the toll gate. The toll collection system according to claim 1,
The toll collection system is characterized in that one vehicle detection sensor is provided for each of a plurality of passages passing through a toll gate. A communication system for exchanging information by communicating with an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle entering a communication area formed in front of a toll gate, and processing the received information,
A single vehicle detection sensor having a vehicle detection area closer to the vehicle entry side in the communication area;
A communication device for starting and stopping communication for exchanging information based on a detection state of the vehicle detection sensor and a timer count;
With
The communication device starts communication for toll collection with the vehicle-mounted device and starts the timer count when the front end of the vehicle traveling toward the toll gate is detected by the vehicle detection sensor. ,
If the time point when the vehicle detection sensor is in a non-detection state is within the predetermined time of the timer count, the communication is stopped when the predetermined time has elapsed,
If the time point when the vehicle detection sensor is in the non-detection state is after the predetermined time of the timer count has elapsed, communication is stopped when the vehicle detection sensor is in the non-detection state. . Information transmission method for toll collection system that collects tolls by communication between in-vehicle devices mounted on vehicles entering the communication area formed in front of the toll booth and communication devices arranged on the roadside to exchange information Because
When the front end of the vehicle is detected by a single vehicle detection sensor having a vehicle detection area near the vehicle entry side in the communication area, the communication device starts communication for toll collection with the in-vehicle device. Steps,
When the vehicle detection sensor changes to a non-detection state within a predetermined time from the detection of the vehicle, the communication device does not stop the communication because the shape of the vehicle is discontinuous, and a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection of the vehicle. If the communication device changes to a non-detection state later, the communication device stops communication; and
An information transmission method for a toll collection system, comprising:

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